Hong Kong looks like it might be ahead now

Jim Bolger's decision to turn out Feach Ar Agaidh quickly after a most satisfactory debut at Gowran last Sunday, paid off nicely when the chestnut landed the Dublin Coach To The Curragh Races European Breeders Fund Maiden.

The Intense Focus three-year-old was a 20/1 stable second string when runner-up to Dermot Weld's experienced Leafcutter five days ago but there were no such fancy odds on offer on this occasion with Kevin Manning taking the reins.

Feach Ar Agaidh (7/2) displayed the benefit of the run when seeing off the nicely supported Ballydoyle hope, Blackstone (blinkers here having been tried in different head-gear before) and well-fancied John Oxx first-timer Rightway by four and a quarter lengths (asserted inside the final quarter mile) and half a length.

"I knew he had come on a good bit from Gowran. He did it well.

"He looks tailor-made for Hong Kong. He likes top of the ground and he has a nice turn of foot.

"He's only had the two runs. If he isn't sold there we might look at a handicap with him," reported Bolger.

G.F. Carroll, rider of Owen Philip trained by John C. McConnell, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount ran short of room close to the finish line and had to check.

(GC & EM)